New products from VBG on show October 2000

Coupling manufacturer VBG limited continues to develop its modular range of fifth wheel and trailer equipment to improve ease and safety of operation, reduce maintenance and simplify installation. A range of new products, together with other recent developments were show at Frankfurt.

New air operated power assisted handle
At the centre of VBG’s Frankfurt show display is the new air operated, power assisted fifth wheel handle. Offered as a production option from Oct 2000, the handle makes it very simple to operate the fifth wheel. Squeezing an integral trigger, releases air from a cylinder mounted under the top plate, allowing the handle to be pulled out with only minimal physical effort.

VBG believes that the new air release handle represents a significant advance in both operational efficiency and safety in the workplace. The air operated power assisted handle also means that it is easy to couple and uncouple, even on tractor units fitted with aerodynamic side skirts and low height fifth wheels. A patent for this concept has already been applied for.

New fifth wheel coupling sensor
Also on show is a brand new sensor which detects and warns the driver of incomplete or unsafe coupling. Available as a production option on all new generation VBG fifth wheels, the coupling sensor comes complete with an in-cab display featuring a red warning light signifying an incomplete coupling and a green light indicating that the fifth wheel jaws are safely locked onto the trailer king-pin and that the fifth wheel is fully closed. Once the vehicle is under way, the coupling sensor can be switched off, ensuring the driver does not have the distraction of an additional warning lamp illuminated on the dashboard.
The new generation coupling sensor is seen mounted on a 150SP fifthwheel fitted with the new angle mountings.

New multi-height fifth wheel
An all new multi-height fifth wheel is launched at Frankfurt by VBG. Designated the 135MH it can be used to connect at four different operating heights. Available as a fixed position fifth wheel only, it will allow operators with a mixed fleet of mega cube and conventional trailers to improve tractor-trailer utilisation as tractor coupling versatility is significantly enhanced.

Low maintenance cast fifth wheel
Unveiled this year at Birmingham’s Commercial Vehicle Show, the 150CILM low maintenance cast fifth wheel has a special low friction material mounted on the top plate, wearing and foot contact areas to remove the need for greasing of these points. (It is still necessary to use a small amount of grease to lubricate the locking jaw of the fifth wheel). This coupling can also be supplied without the lining system for conventional usage.

The 150CILM was designed for European markets where iron fifth wheels are traditionally preferred.
It is shown fitted to a 135SF all bolted construction, modular design air slider that also offers a significant weight advantage.

New landing legs
VBG has introduced a range of trailer landing legs with mountings and a choice of footwear to suit most trailer applications.
On show are examples of the latest E20000 range featuring an air suspension compensating foot. The legs have a static load rating of 80 tonnes and a lift capacity of 28 tonnes, use heavy-duty 100mm section tube and feature a two-speed winding mechanism.

A full-length universal back-plate is fitted to accommodate a variety of mounting options. Covered by a comprehensive warranty, VBG’s new trailer landing legs weigh from 105kg per pair.